University undergraduates studying in the Monica Partridge building. Friday November 5th 2021.

Natural Sciences BSc

University Park Campus, Nottingham, UK

Course overview

Natural sciences is a degree programme that allows you to study more than one science subject for the duration of your degree. In your first year, you will study three subjects, building a strong foundation and experiencing what these are like at university, before selecting the two that most interest you to continue to degree level. Our flexible structure allows you to develop core knowledge and skills in each of your subjects while exploring your interests, preparing you for further study or careers in those fields. 

Global challenges like energy, sustainability, and health require solutions that go beyond a single discipline. There is a growing demand for individuals who can integrate knowledge across fields, take a broader perspective, and bridge disciplinary gaps. Our core modules are designed to cultivate these abilities, learning to approach problems from multiple angles, connect ideas, and communicate effectively across disciplines. This equips you with the skills needed to come up with innovative solutions to complex problems, making you highly attractive to employers.

Find out more about the subjects you can study.

 

Year one
Year one Year two Year three Additional year Notes for applicants

You will study equal amounts of three subjects from your chosen stream, gaining fundamental understanding of these disciplines alongside relevant practical and academic skills. The majority of modules you will take are compulsory, but there are some specialisms and limited optional choice in some subjects. 

Alongside your academic study, you will take the Academic and Transferable Skills Portfolio to help you to transition to university life and develop the skills you need to be successful in your studies.

Find out more about what you can study in each of the subjects

You will choose your stream (in late August, following confirmation of your place. This choice is flexible, and you can change stream any time up to the end of the first week of study, providing you meet stream requirements. Below is a list of streams and their requirements.

 

Subject streams Required A level subjects
  Biology Chemistry Maths Physics Other science
Archaeology-Biology-Chemistry Yes Yes      
Archaeology-Biology-Earth Science Yes       Yes
Archaeology-Earth Science-Chemistry   Yes     Yes
Biology-Archaeology-Ecosystems and Environment Yes       Yes
Biology-Chemistry-Mathematics Yes Yes Yes    
Biology-Physics-Mathematics Yes   Yes Yes  
Cancer Sciences-Biology-Chemistry Yes Yes      
Cancer Sciences-Biology-Psychology Yes       Yes
Chemistry-Archaeology-Ecosystems and Environment   Yes     Yes
Chemistry-Earth Science-Mathematics   Yes Yes    
Chemistry-Physics-Mathematics   Yes Yes Yes  
Ecosystems and Environment-Earth Science-Archaeology         2*
Earth Science-Ecosystem and Environment-Biology Yes       Yes
Ecosystem and Environment-Earth Science-Chemistry   Yes     Yes
Ecosystem and Environment-Biology-Chemistry Yes Yes      
Earth Science-Biology-Chemistry Yes Yes      
Earth Science-Biology-Mathematics Yes   Yes    
Mathematics-Psychology-Chemistry   Yes Yes    
Physics-Earth Science-Mathematics     Yes Yes  
Physics-Psychology-Mathematics     Yes Yes  
Psychology-Biology-Chemistry Yes Yes      
Psychology-Biology-Mathematics Yes   Yes    

 

Other sciences includes biology, chemistry, environmental science/studies, geography, geology, maths, physics, psychology.

You will choose any two of your first-year subjects to study in greater depth .

In many subjects there are opportunities to direct your study to the areas that interest you through specialisms and optional modules, while still building a solid core of knowledge and practical skills required for later years

Alongside your subjects, you will take a 20 credit module called Science and Society: Data and Bias, which examines how social and cultural factors influence scientific research and knowledge, highlighting how biases within the research process impact both scientific discoveries and the way society interprets them.

Find out more about what you can study in each of the subjects.

You will deepen your knowledge in your two chosen subjects, studying them at a more advanced level. With increased flexibility through optional modules, you can explore your personal interests and specialise further in each subject to tailor the degree towards what you want to do next. The emphasis of your study will shift towards independence and being able to apply what you have learned in previous years in a range of theoretical and practical settings.

Alongside subject content, you will take the 20 credit synoptic project, that fosters interdisciplinarity by connecting concepts across various scientific disciplines through a collaborative group project.

Find out more about what you can study in each of the subjects.

There are three opportunities to add an additional year to your programme as part of a named degree.

International study

Studying abroad gives you the chance to learn about your subjects from a different perspective, as well as building your independence and communication skills.

This is an additional year between the second and third years of your course on a pass/fail basis, where the marks obtained do not count towards your final mark. This means that you can truly make the most of the opportunity to expand your academic and cultural horizons.

We currently have 23 partners worldwide, including partners in North America, Europe, Australasia and South East Asia.

If you are interested in studying abroad for a full academic year, apply to the MSci Natural Sciences with International Study programme. It is also possible, subject to the necessary progression requirements, to transfer to this programme once you are here.

Please note: To undertake International Study, you will need to achieve the relevant academic requirements as set by the university (60% average in Y1 – 65% for some partners) and meet the selection criteria of both the university and the partner institution.

Placement year

Natural Sciences students have the option to transfer to a named ‘Natural Sciences with Placement Year’ programme in their second year. 

A placement provides a unique opportunity to put theory into practice, gain practical experience and build further skills and competencies that will put you a step ahead on the graduate career ladder.

Students looking for placements are provided with support through the Careers and Employability Service and a few specialist teams in specific subject areas. The University continues to support students while they are on their placement, and you will be visited by a placement tutor during the year.

Previous students have spent time working for companies including:

  • KPMG
  • RSPB
  • Rolls Royce
  • GSK
  • Johnson & Johnson

Students who successfully complete their placement and reflective report are awarded the degree MSci Natural Sciences with Placement Year. It will be a four-year programme with the placement in your penultimate year.

Year in computer science

You can also add an intercalated year in Computer Sciences to your degree. This is an additional year between your second and third year of study, designed to provide you with training in software development and computing skills to enhance your studies and career options.

Students request to transfer into this programme during the second year. The year is completed on a pass/fail basis and successful students will graduate with a named degree BSc Natural Sciences with a Year in Computer Science.

Course transfers

You can transfer between any of the following Natural Sciences programmes

  • BSc or MSci programmes
  • international study programmes
  • placement year programmes
  • Year in Computer Science programme

within the first two years of the course, providing you meet any additional requirements for those programmes.

We recommend that students considering either the Placement Year or the Year in Computer Science programmes apply for the International Study programme, as this matches the duration of the programme you will study.

Language study as part of this degree

You may be able to choose to study a language as part of this degree.  

Learning another language can open career opportunities around the globe and enriches your CV. It could also help you in your studies by being able to access learning materials in other languages. 

If you are planning to travel or work abroad it will help you to broaden your cultural understanding.

Our Language Centre offers many languages, and you may start as a beginner or at a more advanced level. 

Find out more about learning a language as part of your degree.

Trent Building in sunshine  June 2nd 2020 by Lisa Gilligan-Lee

I enjoyed the idea that I could just pick the sciences that I wanted to study as opposed to alternative natural sciences courses where you study all the sciences in first year and then differentiate.

Ella Tolfrey

BSc Natural Sciences

Course data

63%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for Natural Sciences (Full time) at University of Nottingham, the

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

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Open Day June 2022